A former congressman from Kansas is facing backlash for criticizing Joe Biden's recent designation as a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree.

On January 12, Tim Huelskamp retweeted a CNN article about the vice president receiving the award and included the message, "For once, [Joe Biden] and I agree: he doesn't deserve this honor."

The reference alluded to a part of Biden's acceptance speech where he said, "Mr. President, this honor...isn't only well beyond what I deserve, but it's a reflection of the extent and generosity of your spirit. I don't deserve this, but I know it came from the president's heart."

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Obama awards Biden Presidential Medal of Freedom

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Obama awards Biden Presidential Medal of Freedom

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden wipes his eyes before receiving the Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama, not pictured, during an event at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Obama awarded Biden with the highest civilian honor, commemorating an 'extraordinary man with an extraordinary career in public service.'

(Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg)

US President Barack Obama awards Vice President Joe Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a tribute to Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2017.

(NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

Vice-President Joe Biden speaks after he received the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama during an event in the State Dinning room of the White House, January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Vice President Joe Biden after presenting him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Vice-President Joe Biden reacts as President Barack Obama delivers remarks during an event in the State Dining room of the White House, January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 12: (AFP OUT) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden wipes his eyes as Preident Barack Obama presents him with Medal of Freedom during an event in the State Dinning room of the White House January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

US Vice President Joe Biden wipes away tears after President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a tribute to Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2017.

(NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Vice-President Joe Biden gets emotional as President Barack Obama delivers remarks during an event in the State Dinning room of the White House, January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a tribute to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. President Barack Obama looks at his watch as he reacts to Vice President Joe Biden speech in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden wipes his eye after President Barack Obama presented him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

US Vice President Joe Biden wipes away tears as he walks past President Barack Obama after he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a tribute to Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2017.

(NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

Vice-President Joe Biden speaks after he received from President Barack Obama the Medal of Freedom during an event in the State Dinning room of the White House, January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

US Vice President Joe Biden acknowledges applause after President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a tribute to Biden at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 12, 2017.

(NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama delivers remarks at a tribute to Vice President Joe Biden in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during an event at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017. Obama awarded Biden with the highest civilian honor, commemorating an 'extraordinary man with an extraordinary career in public service.'

(Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg)

U.S. President Barack Obama looks at his wife Michelle and his daughters Malia and Sasha during an event in the State Dinning room of the White House, January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC. Obama presented the Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden.

(Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Vice President Joe Biden after presenting him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden reacts as President Barack Obama delivers remarks to tribute him in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 12, 2017.

(REUTERS/Yuri Gripas)

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The reaction to Huelskamp's post was largely negative, with users calling him "petty" and "jealous."

Many also mocked his failed bid to get re-elected, with one person writing, "You got voted out by your own party in a primary. [Joe Biden] is leaving with honor and distinction."

However, the former lawmaker responded to his critics by tweeting, "The partisan haters came out attacking this one. For the record, here are 2 real heroes."

He included links to Medal of Freedom recipient Mother Teresa and Medal of Honor recipient Father Emil Kapaun.